Transcript Highlights:

• that it limits that it limits um<00:13:22.760> the<00:13:22.880> scope<00:13:23.280
• Okay, that's fine.
• <00:15:57.920> That's<00:15:58.079> fine. out. Okay, that's fine.
• That's fine. out. Okay, that's fine. That's fine.
• <00:40:04.480> or persons unable to afford any fines or persons unable to afford any fines

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several Senate bills. On SB 2530, relating to campaign contributions, the State Procurement Office suggested clarifying that contractor disclosure information be submitted within 30 days of a fully executed contract, while the Campaign Spending Commission supported the bill but asked that the restriction on contributions by officers be expanded beyond compensated officers. Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action supported the measure and urged keeping the Senate language, arguing it better addresses contractor influence, while no other testifiers appeared. On SB 2970, relating to standards of conduct, the State Ethics Commission supported the bill and proposed amendments to consolidate the new language into existing Chapter 84 contract provisions and use “department head” instead of “director.” The State Procurement Office supported the measure but recommended closing a perceived loophole by limiting the covered contracts to those under $10,000. No opposition testimony was offered. The committee then heard SB 2919, which would fund one full-time Deputy Public Defender position focused on immigration-related advice under Padilla v. Kentucky. The Office of the Public Defender, Hawaii Coalition for Immigrants’ Rights, and the ACLU of Hawaii supported the bill, explaining that the position would help public defenders advise clients about immigration consequences of criminal cases, not provide immigration representation. Members asked several questions about the scope of the position and whether it could assist with citizenship; testimony clarified that it would not handle civil immigration matters. The bill was also described as creating a statewide consistent resource for the public defender system. Finally, on SB 2446, relating to the judiciary, the Intermediate Court of Appeals supported adding a seventh associate judge position but noted the court has only recently been fully staffed at six judges and has improved output through internal changes. The chair emphasized that the bill authorizes the position without funding and encouraged the judiciary to return later if appropriations are needed. The committee also began hearing SB 2730, a criminal justice reform bill on warrantless arrests and citations. OHA supported reducing unnecessary arrests but objected to making citations visible on criminal records; the Department of the Attorney General opposed the bill, citing law enforcement flexibility, identification concerns, and possible litigation costs; and the Judiciary requested a later implementation date and suggested changes to citation-resolution language. The transcript ends while testimony on SB 2730 was still underway.

Transcript Highlights:

• No, I think it's fine.
• That's fine on the topic. Right.
• Yeah, no, that's fine. You can combine the two. That's fine. Perfect.
• That's fine on the topic.
• Yeah, no, that's fine. You can combine the two. That's fine. Perfect.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to facilitate the goal of the hearing, we will hear as much from the public as possible within the limits
• To qualify for classic historic motor vehicle insurance, owners must limit the mileage driven each year
• Finally, as I was ready to walk out, I said, fine.
• Finally, as I was ready to walk out, I said, fine.
• It limits the first fine and directs funding back towards safe multimodal transportation programs.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 712, which would expand California’s smog-check exemption for classic vehicles by adding model years 1976 through 1986 in phases, with a sunset in 2032. The author and supporters, including lowrider advocates and the Specialty Equipment Market Association, argued the bill would preserve car culture, support a small class of rarely driven collector vehicles, and reduce burdens on owners who struggle to find equipment for older smog tests. Opponents, including air district officials, the American Lung Association, and other environmental groups, warned the bill would weaken an important emissions-control program and increase pollution. After discussion, the committee adopted the motion to do pass as amended to Appropriations on a roll call vote of 10-0, with the roll held open for additional votes. The committee then heard SB 800, which requires Caltrans, working with local governments, to assess mitigation measures for suicide prevention on locally owned overpasses crossing state highways. The bill was presented as a response to recent tragedies in Rancho Cucamonga and was supported by local officials, health organizations, and suicide-prevention advocates, who said the measure would help identify high-risk locations and lead to life-saving interventions. There was no registered opposition. The committee members expressed support, and SB 800 was passed to Appropriations on a unanimous roll call vote, with the roll held open. Next, the committee considered SB 30, which would prohibit California public entities from selling, donating, or transferring decommissioned diesel locomotives and railroad equipment with Tier 1 or older engines unless the engine is removed, while allowing Tier 2 and newer transfers under certain conditions. The author and supporters framed the bill as a climate and public-health measure to prevent older, dirtier locomotives from continuing to pollute elsewhere, while transit agencies opposed it, arguing it could limit useful transfers of equipment that still supports passenger service and could be better handled through case-by-case air-quality review. After debate, the committee voted 6-4 to pass SB 30 as amended to Appropriations, with the roll held open for later additions. The committee also heard SB 791, which replaces the flat dealer document processing charge cap with a 1% fee capped at $350, along with new disclosure requirements. Dealers and industry groups supported the bill as a way to recover costs and improve transparency, while consumer advocates opposed it as an unjustified increase that would burden buyers. The committee approved SB 791 on a 8-? roll call vote and held the roll open. The meeting then moved on to SB 34, a port-air-quality bill presented by Senator Richardson, but the transcript ends during testimony and debate on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill addresses enforcement gaps where capital fines and delays allow dangerous conditions to persist
• Specifically, the bill allows for a fine up to $500 per day if the nuisance is not abated within one
• Removing the $15,000 limit on the total value of fines that may be imposed authorizes local governments
• and emergency medical transportation at 110 percent of Medicare allowable reimbursement rates and limits
• The legislation greatly limits who would qualify to run for the board as it states the candidate shall

Transcript Highlights:

• Public testimony will be limited to 2 minutes per speaker.
• Oh, OK, that's fine. Yes, ma'am. Any other questions?
• And fine men and women of law enforcement, I'm sure they can also testify that there's nothing they can
• Establishing a permitting process for events exceeding these limits with fees based on administrative
• Uh, want to submit written testimony, uh, that's fine. Uh, and, and I would encourage that.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before we begin, public testimony will be limited to two minutes per speaker.
• That's fine. Yes, ma'am. Any other questions? All right. Representative Swing. Thank you.
• And fine men and women of law enforcement, I'm sure they can also testify that there's nothing they can
• Establishing a permitting process for events exceeding these limits, with fees based on administrative
• That's fine, and I would encourage that. Otherwise, I don't know what time we'll be back.

Bills: HB1597, HB2364, HB2437, HB3205, HB3253, HB3310, HB3648, HB3906, HB4259, HB5645

Keywords: county jailer, jail training, veterans, Texas Veterans Commission, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, TCOLE, criminal justice system, county jail, law enforcement training, mental health training, jail standards, correctional officers, veteran services, veteran interaction, occupations code, jailer licensing, parking, county courthouse, infrastructure, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Everything's fine. Turns out I'm just about a quarter and a half low on patience.
• It's a fine question.
• I mean, it's fine.
• I mean, it's fine. of the amendment, it's one or the other. I mean, it's fine.
• limitations for self...

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have a two-minute time limit for both people on Zoom and in person, but if you can stick around
• to explain, or is it going to be like a ministerial fine, like a parking ticket?
• always have to just follow that statutory fine amount.
• <01:30:39.719> I opposition yeah that's that's fine I opposition yeah that's that's fine I
• versus poo which held that limits on versus poo which held that limits on expenditures<01:39:50.360><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard several bills on January 30. SB 286 and SB 287 both concerned supplemental funding for the Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney: SB 286 for the career criminal prosecution unit and SB 287 for the victim witness assistance program. Testimony from the department explained that these bills are filed each year because the Attorney General’s core budget allocation may not be sufficient, though the department said the core had recently been increased and the supplemental request might no longer be necessary. For SB 287, the department also warned of a possible federal Victims of Crime Act funding freeze that could cut about $1.88 million and severely harm victim services. Both bills drew support from county and community witnesses, and members asked about prior-year funding and why the requests were limited to fiscal 2025-26; no votes were taken in the excerpt. SB 289, from the State Ethics Commission, would create a more uniform administrative fine process under the ethics code and lobbyist law. The commission said the measure would not change substantive enforcement but would let it issue a notice and order of fine first, with the respondent able to request a hearing within 20 days, which would speed up cases that are not factually disputed. Members questioned whether the bill would deny due process or function like an automatic parking ticket, and the commission responded that respondents could still challenge the fine and that the process would apply to violations with fines under $1,000. The committee also heard SB 304, which would add 11 positions for the First Circuit Adult Client Services Branch; Judiciary testimony said probation caseloads are high, with an average of 116 cases per officer, and the added staff would help meet national supervision standards and better serve higher-risk clients. Members asked whether the positions were already in the budget and about current staffing ratios; the witness said the positions were not already funded and that the Judiciary supported the bill with amendments. The committee then heard SB 311, a proposed constitutional amendment to exclude spending money to influence elections from protected free speech. Testimony was strongly divided: supporters argued that Citizens United has distorted elections and empowered special interests, while opponents warned the language was too broad and could affect nonprofit advocacy and grassroots groups. Finally, SB 313 would impose a 1% wealth asset tax on individuals with $20 million or more in assets. The Department of Taxation said it had concerns about the bill’s ambiguity and administration and noted it would require annual valuation and likely additional resources; opponents, including family business representatives and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, argued the tax would be difficult and costly to administer, would require sensitive business disclosures, and could force family businesses to pay from company cash. Supporters said wealthy residents should pay a fair share. The committee heard testimony and questions on these bills, but the excerpt does not show final committee votes or actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• amend the social services law in relation to allowing certain adult care facilities to arrange for limited
• Instead, it allows for limited nursing services to be provided to residents in certain specific circumstances
• The only issue, and I'm going to go without rec on it, but I actually think it's fine, is that it's related
• Still, I'm fine with the bill, just those two things that have been pointed out to the sponsor.
• Still, I'm fine with the bill, just those two things that have been pointed out to the sponsor.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The meeting covered a long list of health and social services bills, many of them recurring proposals that had passed the Senate before or been vetoed in prior years. Topics included primary care investment, penalties for adult care facility safety violations, emergency insulin access, limited nursing services in adult care facilities, a State Medical Indemnity Fund ombudsman, hospital ownership and private equity oversight, controlled substances for people with substance use disorder, rescue inhaler information in the immunization system, nursing home closure procedures, Medicaid coverage for complex care assistance, increased personal needs allowances, parental education for minors with disabling conditions, physician and dentist loan repayment/support, higher public health penalties, direct Medicaid billing for licensed creative arts therapists, adoption registry information release, fetal and infant mortality review boards, reusable food and beverage containers, DNR and hospice decision rules, a special needs assisted living demonstration program, temporary licensure for out-of-state health professionals at a triathlon event, and lead reporting and mitigation in school water. Sponsors described most bills as straightforward efforts to improve access, transparency, or care quality, while several members noted technical fixes or fiscal concerns on a few measures, including outdated program references and the need for funding to support expanded loan repayment eligibility. Some bills were framed as responses to prior vetoes or as renewed attempts to advance previously passed Senate measures. The chair also noted the committee still lacked a budget and expected additional meetings. For each bill, members generally moved and seconded the measures, and the committee voted favorably, usually with some members recorded as without recommendation. Most bills were advanced either to first reading, finance, or higher education, depending on referral. No bill was defeated in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to remind all participants of our time limits. You see there's a lot of people here.
• That's fine.
• These are the limits of consumer protection remedies.
• He kept the only key for our mailbox and limited my contact with the outside world.
• Statute of repose is very different from a statute of limitations.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy public hearing on a wide range of civil actions, labor, consumer protection, and animal welfare bills. Chair Lydia Edwards and Representative Michael Day opened with strict testimony rules and time limits, then heard from legislators and advocates on measures including animal-abuser pet ownership bans (S. 1207/H. 1914), a name-change privacy bill (S. 1045/H. 1973), tort claims reform (H. 1724), law enforcement council coverage under the Tort Claims Act (S. 1199), civil rights and qualified immunity-related proposals (H. 1641), employee free speech/captive audience restrictions (S. 1078/H. 1653), consumer protection and civil rights jurisdiction expansion (S. 1041), private right of action for wage theft (H. 1916), gun-owner liability insurance (H. 1836), pseudoephedrine sales tracking (S. 1243/H. 1581), prepaid legal services plans (H. 1612), structured settlement protections (H. 1863), third-party litigation financing disclosure (H. 1861), antitrust reform for small businesses and workers (S. 1038/H. 1982), legal notices in online-only newspapers (S. 1279/H. 1632), and several animal cruelty and protection bills including H. 1938, H. 1949, S. 1277/H. 1934, and H. 1764. Testimony was largely supportive from bill sponsors and advocacy groups, with repeated themes of protecting vulnerable people and animals, improving access to justice, and updating outdated laws. Supporters of the animal bills argued for stronger possession bans, broader cruelty citations, and civil removal tools to prevent repeat abuse; opponents or conditional supporters raised due process and enforcement concerns, especially around warrantless seizures and requiring retail or shelter staff to check registries. On the labor and consumer side, supporters said the antitrust bill would curb monopoly power and help small businesses and workers, while opponents warned it could destabilize competition and burden successful firms. The employee free speech bill was backed as a response to captive audience meetings, and the wage-theft bill was presented as a way to let workers or organizations pursue claims when individual employees are afraid to come forward. Several public officials and association representatives testified on the law enforcement and civil rights bills. Chiefs of police supported adding law enforcement councils to the Tort Claims Act, saying it would close a liability gap for regional mutual-aid collaborations. But police representatives opposed changes to the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act and qualified immunity-related provisions, arguing the federal system already provides a workable forum and that expanding liability could increase costs, reduce morale, and worsen recruitment and retention. On the consumer/civil rights bill, Senator Collins and a veteran described an out-of-state assault case that they said showed the need for Massachusetts to let residents seek redress at home when rights are violated elsewhere. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing itself; the committee mainly received testimony and questions. Several witnesses indicated they had submitted written testimony or proposed amendments, and some bills drew requests for favorable reports while others were explicitly opposed unless amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're we're we're fine tooth comb.
• provision as important as it is limits provision as important as it is limits the<02:09:17.199><
• office limitations. office limitations.
• municipal office limitations. municipal office limitations.
• Would we be okay just keeping municipal office limitations? I mean, I'm fine with that.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you started mixing the different types of plastic, it limited your use.
• What in their process would have eliminated any excess of that that would be fine to leave in the environment
• c><00:04:07.680> of<00:04:07.760> plastic,<00:04:08.320> it<00:04:08.440> limited
• different types of plastic, it limited different types of plastic, it limited your<00:04:09.000>
• to leave in the environment on be fine to leave in the environment on that<00:04:48.560> line?

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House File 2576 was heard in committee and laid over for possible inclusion. Chair Hansen described the bill as a straightforward pesticide-container measure tied to open burning, explaining that empty pesticide containers should be rinsed and handled as solid waste rather than burned. He also noted he was not moving his A1 amendment, which had been drafted in hopes of including paraquat-ban language, and said he wanted members to consider what could be done rather than what could not. Members asked about the history and mechanics of pesticide-container recycling, including what the containers were turned into and how residue was removed. Hansen said the earlier recycling program used triple-rinsing and then shredding the plastic into products like curbs and some park benches, with the material intended for non-human-contact uses. Department of Agriculture staff and the bill author explained that pesticide labels govern disposal, that there is not uniform label language prohibiting burning, and that collection programs already exist through ag dealers and the department. Vice Chair Harder raised concerns that the bill was another regulation on agriculture and asked about penalties and enforcement. Hansen said any penalties would come from existing Pesticide Control Act authority, not new penalties in the bill, and that enforcement would be complaint-driven through the Department of Agriculture rather than counties. Assistant Commissioner Peter Chesnik said the language was developed in response to a Senate request and that a fiscal note may still be associated with related paraquat-ban language. After discussion, Hansen renewed his motion and the bill was laid over.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it limits what that amount could be going to. That's fine. Any other questions?
• >> And<00:23:15.200> it<00:23:15.360> limits<00:23:15.760> what<00:23:16.080
• c><00:23:16.559> amount<00:23:17.039> could<00:23:17.200> be >> And it limits
• what that amount could be >> And it limits what that amount could be going<00:23:17.600> to
• >> That's<00:23:18.240> fine. >> That's fine. >> That's fine.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's fine with me, thank you. Perfect testimony. Thank you. I'm trying to keep it short.
• Or if I'm over axle, there's a fine. But if you simply purchase this permit...
• There won't be an 84,000-pound limit because you're no longer recognizing that bond.
• So, looking at the issue, monitoring and training of drivers is fine if they're employees.
• You'd be fine with it. Right?

Bills: SB215, SB1104, SB1351, SB1931, SB2245, SB2589, SB2707, SB2807, SB1423, SB1568

Keywords: education, funding, school districts, local control, equity, digital identification, identity verification, Department of Public Safety, Texas legislature, wireless communication, Texas, technology, identification program, fee structure, wireless devices, public safety, hunting license, handgun license, fingerprinting, dealer license

Transcript Highlights:

• uh, there are other aspects, it's really difficult to try to rein something in and put controls or limits
• ><00:03:05.720> put<00:03:05.920> controls<00:03:06.319> or<00:03:06.480> limits
• something in and put controls or limits something in and put controls or limits in<00:03:07.000>
• Somebody else with a different standard would say that's perfectly fine, and that's the continuum we're
• Somebody else with a different standard would say that's perfectly fine, and that's the continuum we're

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fine arts activities that they love. fine arts activities that they love.
• of income limits or measure of need. of income limits or measure of need.
• That was about our limit.
• Yeah, that's fine. Um, Mr.
• Yeah, that's that's fine. Yeah, that's that's fine.

Bills: HF4906, HF3971, HF4777, HF2109, HF2988

Keywords: property tax, tax refund, taxpayer relief, Minnesota taxation, one-time payment, taxation, property valuation, Tax Court, evidentiary standards, Minnesota Statutes, disparity reduction, aid payments, local government, funding, Fillmore County, education funding, managed forest land, classification, forest management plan, agricultural land

Summary: The committee first approved the April 9 minutes, then took up House File 2988, which would extend for eight more years a sales tax exemption tied to Minnesota State High School League tournament ticket revenue that is funneled into the league’s foundation and returned to schools as grants. Chair Youakim and Executive Director Eric Martins said the program sends more than $1.1 million annually back to schools for activity fee reductions, scholarships, coaching and training, AEDs, late buses, and other school needs, with over 98% of funds going directly to schools. Representative Huot and others spoke in support, while Representative Robinson questioned the structure and suggested the state could instead simply reduce ticket prices and not tax the tickets. The committee laid HF 2988 over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill. The committee then heard House File 4906, as amended, which would create a one-time property tax refund in calendar year 2026 for owners of residential homesteads and the homestead portion of agricultural property, funded by a $4 billion appropriation in fiscal year 2027. The bill includes a clawback for delinquent taxpayers and offsets to ensure no one receives more in property tax refunds than they paid. A House Research staffer said the Department of Revenue viewed the refund as potentially taxable, while House Research said it likely should be treated as a recovery of prior taxes, and the two would follow up. The bill was introduced with testimony from Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota and Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project, both of whom opposed it, arguing it would create a large budget hole, force future cuts, and disproportionately benefit homeowners while excluding renters and lower-income Minnesotans. Several members also raised concerns. Representative Hewitt said the state should prioritize public safety, rural EMS, and safety-net hospitals rather than a large rebate, and Representative Youakim argued the money would be better spent on longer-term property tax relief and education funding. Representative Hollins said the proposal would worsen racial and wealth inequities because homeownership is lower among communities of color and renters would get nothing. In response, the author and supporters said the bill is meant to put money back into people’s budgets and that individuals should be able to decide how to use their own money. The discussion continued with questions about the bill’s size and fiscal impact, but no final action on HF 4906 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• the stuff that you treating like fine the stuff that you treating like fine nail<00:14:31.920>
• And again, that's fine with me.
• I just want again, that's fine with me.
• I just told you how I feel about that, so that's fine.
• I just told you how I feel about that, so that's fine.

Bills: SB309, HB192, SB178, SB179, SB237, HB10, HB107, HB189, HB37, HB226, SB309, HB192, SB178, SB179, SB237, HB10, HB107, HB189, HB37, HB226

Keywords: automated driving systems, oversized vehicles, transportation, regulations, permits, HB192, international wire transfer, wire transfer fee, remittance fee, money transmission business, Alabama Securities Commission, Department of Revenue, Education Trust Fund, ELL instructors, English Language Learner, ESL teachers, income tax credit, remittances, international money transfer, migrant families

Transcript Highlights:

• their liability, including by limiting or removing access.
• But it's not just a random, it happens and you get fined. There is an enforcement mechanism.
• If it was limited to, like, my inquiries with my utility, If it was limited to, like, my inquiries with
• You know, why do we have term limits in the Assembly?
• If you'd like to come to the table, that's fine. Hi, um, good evening. I'm thinking...

Summary: The committee heard several privacy and consumer protection bills, with most of the discussion focused on AI and social media. AB 1405 would create a state registry for AI auditors and set basic transparency, ethics, and qualification standards for those auditors; supporters said it would build trust and provide a foundation for future AI oversight, while some members questioned whether government should define auditor qualifications instead of industry groups. The bill was moved out on a 5-1 vote to Appropriations, with the roll left open. AB 2, by Assemblymember Lowenthal, would impose enhanced financial penalties on large social media companies when their negligence causes harm to children and teens. Supporters, including a grieving parent and Common Sense Media, argued the bill would create accountability for harmful algorithms and design choices, while opponents from TechNet, EFF, CCIA, and CalChamber warned it was vague, could chill speech, invite censorship, and raise Section 230 and First Amendment concerns. Committee members debated private right of action versus public enforcement, possible shakedown lawsuits, and whether the bill should be narrowed; the bill passed 6-0 to Judiciary with the roll left open. AB 410 would expand California’s bot disclosure law so bots must identify themselves up front and truthfully if asked, rather than only prohibiting deceptive bots in limited commercial or election contexts. Supporters said the measure would help users, especially youth and vulnerable people, know when they are interacting with AI and reduce deception online; one privacy group withdrew opposition after amendments, and other industry groups said they were no longer opposed or had no formal position. The bill passed 9-1 to Appropriations with the roll left open. The committee also approved AB 1327, which lets consumers cancel home improvement contracts by email instead of only by mail and requires phone assistance for cancellations; the Contractor State License Board withdrew opposition after amendments, and the bill passed 11-0 to Judiciary with the roll left open.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's fine. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to comment and make people aware.
• We'll next talk about estimates of the 2023 market size and data limitations.
• This all limits its ability to ensure patient safety.
• DOH posts data to its website, though it provides limited analysis of the data.
• DOH post data to its website, though it provides limited analysis of the data.

Summary: The meeting began with JLARC’s biennial executive committee elections. After confirming a quorum, members unanimously elected Representative Pollet as chair, Senator Wagoner as vice chair, Representative Orcutt as secretary, and Senator Solomon as assistant secretary for the 2025-27 biennium. The committee also approved the May 14 meeting minutes unanimously. Chair Pollet then outlined a commitment to more member input on audit scope and coordination with the State Auditor’s Office. Staff presented a preliminary report on Washington State recreation boating programs. They reported that six agencies administer boating-related activities, that the state collected about $108 million in boating-related revenue in 2021-23, and that $86 million was spent, mostly on infrastructure and water access, environmental protection, boater safety, and marine law enforcement. Staff said Washington’s boating laws and programs are broadly similar to other states and noted that the final report is expected in September. JLARC then reviewed several tax preferences. For natural gas used as a transportation fuel, staff said the preferences reduce fuel costs but did not meet emissions-reduction targets because fewer vessels and vehicles converted to natural gas than expected; staff recommended continuing some exemptions and modifying reporting requirements. For travel agents and tour operators, staff said the preference continues to provide tax relief, but large beneficiaries’ savings are rising while small beneficiaries’ use is declining, leading to recommendations to continue the small-business rate and add or revise performance metrics. Staff also reviewed a nonprofit low-income housing property tax exemption, concluding it helps developers build homes as intended but that the performance metric should better reflect housing outcomes; they recommended the legislature decide whether to continue or modify it. Other reviews covered multipurpose senior citizen centers, disabled veteran adapted housing, trade convention attendance, agricultural fertilizer and seed wholesaling, hazardous substance tax treatment for pesticides, and silicon smelter energy preferences, with recommendations ranging from continuation to expiration depending on whether the stated objectives were met. The committee then adopted the final cannabis market study for distribution. Staff reported that Washington businesses produced two to three times more cannabis than retailers sold in 2023, and that inaccurate and incomplete reporting limits the Liquor and Cannabis Board’s ability to regulate the market. The board said it concurs with the recommendations, including developing a plan for a new data system and considering broader social equity options. Finally, staff presented the proposed final report on Department of Health oversight of hospital data reporting, inspections, and complaints. Staff said DOH was late on most acute-care hospital inspections, had not fully verified third-party inspection standards, and did not adequately review adverse event correction plans or assess language access barriers in its complaint system. DOH said it concurs with all six recommendations and has already made some transparency improvements, including a public dashboard for adverse event reporting.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said, "Your bill is fine." That's what he told me in front of witnesses.
• That you are limited to your purchases. You can only buy so many products.
• We're going to start limiting, you know, how many bottles of Jack Daniel's you can buy or how many six
• 'Your bill's fine,' he said.
• I would be untruthful if I said, oh, that's fine. To do it 11:22 at night.